We have servers at various places in the USA. We have a sticker on them that says "please call us BEFORE doing anything like powering down/restarting/unplugging/anything at all".

They keep ignoring this and unplugging the server (sometimes just flat out pulling the plug without shutting down) for any number of random reasons. These could be that they needed to move it because they rearranged the room, the floor was being refinished, new paint in the room, or moving to a new building. Obviously, all these should be scheduled with us but are not. We then have to remotely troubleshoot why we can't connect, or why they can't get on their system.

Is there some way to prevent this? What do any of you professionals do? The servers are lower end Dell Towers like T310 or T420. I know we can bezel it and prevent the power button of doom, but how do we stop the unplugging from the wall? Rather, what are some tips to convince them to contact us first?

This is a problem at multiple unrelated locations, not just one. I'm really looking for hardware solutions if possible, but any tips would be great.

I would have to say a locked wall box that covers the power plug and can hold the server and any other important networking equipment that only the manager to the location and the techs have access to.

I have seen devices that you hook to the cable, then screw into the center of the outlet faceplate. You may have seen something similar if you have ever had a plug-in firealarm, only it is on a larger scale.

This isn't a technical problem. I know that is an understatement, but I would bring this up with management. This is just plain crazy!

+1

This is not an IT problem. If someone kept unplugging our servers, they would be fired. They are costing the company money. This is no different than stealing office supplies, going off on a top customer, or racking up the company credit card.

If a closet in not a feasible option you could buy a server rack and lock the back and front. Sounds like these are smaller offices, I would go with a half height wall mountable rack. It would lock in the front and you could mount it where the power outlet is directly behind. Then I would buy a key box to put keys in it and only give management the pin. I would also stress that Denis Kelley is right, this is a management issue. I am sure these offices suffer when the server is down.

You can't do much to physically stop someone from unplugging something from the electricity supply.

You need to work out why people are doing such retarded things and you need to get management to stamp on it.

There is not a technical solution to this problem unless you're going to go to the lengths of hard wired mains cables going into a rack or cabinet - and it would be cheaper to buy a baseball bat and beat some sense into the people causing the problem.

Actually you could get a UPS with an SNMP card which would email you, but that assumes they wouldn't unplug the network cable from the UPS, and you'd never know if it was a power cut or someone being a 'tard - you see the problem...

I know I read this on another post, so sorry to whomever I'm ripping off, but this is an HR problem that becomes an IT issue. Dennis is right - though you've received some pretty clever suggestions, this is a social problem that must be solved socially. That's HR's problem.

And now the $20,000,000 question: Why are they unplugging the servers?

Why are they unplugging the servers? I assume it not lulz. Just saying that along with getting management involved you could also figure out why they think they need to do this and reduce the need in some form.

Next time they unplug I would take my documented proof of how many times this has happened and how long it took you to fix to your manager and HR and show them that this person is blatantly working against the company and you.

Or

Get management's approval first. Then calmly walk up to the person. Start yelling at them. Beat them with a foam bat while shooting them repeatedly with a nerf gun. And then smile and calmly walk out.

You must punish their actions, this problem is hard to solve with a software or something, this is something about the discipline of the staff, if IT gives the order of "DO NOT UNPLUG THE SERVERS" they must obey

Put an electric fence generator on the cable so when they go to unplug it. ZAP!

I'd go for one of those invisible fences that keeps dogs in the yard. The upside would be the comedy value of making employees wear shock collars. Probably only an option in right-to-work states though.

If a closet in not a feasible option you could buy a server rack and lock the back and front. Sounds like these are smaller offices, I would go with a half height wall mountable rack. It would lock in the front and you could mount it where the power outlet is directly behind. Then I would buy a key box to put keys in it and only give management the pin. I would also stress that Denis Kelley is right, this is a management issue. I am sure these offices suffer when the server is down.

After a similar problem I installed these with the outlet right behind the knockout for the plugs. I then locked them and took the keys off site. I haven't had an issue since.

This isn't a technical problem. I know that is an understatement, but I would bring this up with management. This is just plain crazy!

You're right: it's not a technical problem. However, it IS one with a relatively inexpensive technical solution: Locked wall-mounted cabinets.

Even so, without proper HR support, it doesn't matter if you install cabinets with remotely-activated biometric locks guarded by killer androids surrounded by a moat of acid full of of genetically-modified acid-proof mutant sharks with head-mounted lasers. You can't fix stupid with technology.

We all know that puling a power cable on live equipment can corrupt hard drives, kill Active Directory, cause loss of critical data, and/or damage hardware. Any ONE of those items falls under "willful destruction of company property" ... but if HR isn't going to bring the hurt, the best you can do is spend the money to fix it.